
- The Better to Eat You With
- Author: Tehlor Mejia
- Narrated by Victoria Villarreal
- Penguin Random House
- Publication Date: September 23, 2025
- ISBN: 9798217157129
Evan’s annual summers at a rented cabin have always been a haven for her, when she gets to see her best friend, Billie, again. But so many things are changing: Evan’s parents are arguing more and more, Billie seems more interested in boys than in spending time with Evan, and Evan can’t shake her mom’s voice from her head, reminding Evan to make healthy, perfect food choices and constantly watch what she eats. And the more she listens to the voice, the more sinister clues she finds of a mysterious creature terrorizing the resort…
Evan and her complex, competing inner narratives come alive through Victoria Villarreal’s narration. Each character is distinct, including the voices that Evan hears in her mind throughout the summer, from the one that sounds a lot like her mom to the inner knowing of her body’s hunger. The audiobook heightens the suspense that is core to this middle grade horror novel that is light on gore but still darkly allegorical.
The Better to Eat You With is recommended for fans of Happy Town by Greg van Eekhout, Blood in the Water by Tiffany Jackson, and Louder than Hunger by John Chu.
-Lee Cooney (they/them)
Other Nominated Titles
- Ms. Marvel: Remnants of the Past by Saadia Faarqi
- Medicine Wheels by Byron Graves
- The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst
The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.
Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.









